A remake of the cult classic 2002 shoot-em-up Touhou Koumakyou: The Embodiment of Scarlet Devil is now available, marking the first official remake of the foundational title in the long-running Touhou Project series. The new version, Touhou Koumakyou: New Classic, has launched on Steam and includes a full English translation, a feature not consistently present in earlier entries of the franchise.
The remake is a collaborative effort, with original solo developer ZUN contributing a remastered soundtrack. Developers behind prominent Touhou fangames have also been involved in its creation. While the core gameplay remains faithful to the original, the remake introduces a new stage and updated character artwork. Players once again take on the roles of a shrine maiden or a witch to confront a vampire causing an unending night.
The Touhou series is known for its distinctive bullet hell gameplay, characterized by increasingly dense patterns of projectiles filling the screen, often accompanied by catchy music. The franchise, which spans over 20 games and a vast multimedia presence, is notable for its active fan community and its unique approach to folklore, drawing inspiration from both Asian and Western mythologies for its characters and lore. Recent installments have also incorporated allegorical themes, touching on subjects like fossil fuel dependency, cryptocurrency, and artificial intelligence.
Touhou Koumakyou: New Classic's release on Steam with an English translation may serve as an accessible entry point for newcomers to the series. The franchise's distinct openness to fan-created works, provided they adhere to specific guidelines, has fostered a vibrant ecosystem of unofficial content. Some developers involved in the remake previously contributed to Touhou: Luna Nights, a Metroidvania title that is also recommended for players seeking a different experience within the Touhou universe.